Chapter 23: The Photographer's Testimony
May 7th, 11:12 AM
District Court
Defendant Lobby No. 2
"I can't believe we let him get away with that!"
Maya was fuming a bit over the fiasco that had occurred in court just a few minutes ago. Phoenix simply had his arms crossed and waited for Maya to simmer down a bit.
"It's just...oooh! He really steams me!" she exclaimed as Ellie came up with a sorrowful expression on her face. Olivia had also joined the small gathering when they exited the courtroom, more concerned over Ellie than anything else.
"You don't think that the court will believe what Pierre's said, do you?" Olivia asked.
All things considered, he's painting a good picture...
Phoenix recalled some of the facts of the case that had been brought to his attention: the exact date of Sir Cameron Fearanst's incident alongside Ethelinda and Dahnjent occurred on the night of January 26th, the day before the photo of Ellie and her mother was taken. Assuming that these events had transpired as such, it would be easy to assume that Olivia and Ellie were a bit bitter over Sir Cameron's gambling. If Sir Cameron had apologized to Olivia and then revealed to Ellie that he was continuing to gambling, she could have a justifiable reason to kill him in a crime of passion, as Pierre had stated it. Needless to say...
"There's a lot of assumptions to be made if the court is to believe Pierre's claim," Phoenix said. "We may be able to turn this around when court comes back in session."
"I hope so," Olivia said, a downtrodden look on her face. Phoenix could tell that it wasn't just speculation that was in Pierre's claim; some of it was based on the truth.
But the real truth is what will set them free.
May 7th, 11:22 A.M.
District Court
Courtroom No. 7
The courtroom crowd continued their murmuring as the two sides headed back into the courtroom. No doubt they had been discussing what had been brought up from before the break, and now there was only one thing - or rather, one person - who could bring it all to light. Finally the judge brought down his gavel, signaling-
"Court is now back in session," the judge announced. "Has the prosecution prepared their witness?"
"Ausreichend und ohne sorgen, Votre Honneur," Pierre replied, bowing before the judge to signify what he meant.
The judge nodded in reply. "Very well, the prosecution may call its witness."
This is it. If I can't prove what I need to with this witness, then it may be over sooner than I thought!
"Ze prosecution, she calls forth ze photographer, Rudy Uscentre!"
...wait...WHAT?!
Before he knew it, Phoenix was looking at the peculiar photographer, dressed in his vest and suspenders, his beret on his head, and his glasses as thick-rimmed as ever. Rudy Uscentre was now front and center for all of the court to hear.
"Witness, state your name and occupation," Pierre asked.
"Pleasure to all of you!" Rudy said. "Rudy Uscentre, local photographer for the Radi N' Us newspaper!"
"I don't think I've heard of the Radi N' Us newspaper," the judge said blankly.
"Well, it's kind of a personal business," Rudy responded, scratching the back of his head.
"I see! What an interesting line of work to be in," the judge said, amused.
"Before ze witness began his newspaper, he worked as a part-time photographer," Pierre explained. "It should be to ze court's liking zat ze witness was in fact ze photographer of ze photo provided previously."
"The family portrait you mean?" the judge asked.
"Precies, Votre Honneur," Pierre replied.
"Interesting," the judge nodded.
"Now zen, Rudy," Pierre said, "please inform ze court of ze proceedings of zat photograph to ze best of your memory."
"You got it!" Rudy smiled.
Why do I get the feeling he doesn't have a clue what's going on...
TESTIMONY
The Photograph
"I remember taking that photograph a few months ago!"
"It was pretty chilly that day, so I wore a coat just to keep me warm."
"I remember having a brief conversation with the mother as well."
"She was lamenting over how her husband wouldn't be able to make the photo shoot."
"Still, we took a few pictures anyway, and then she paid me and left."
...
"That seems so...poignant!" the judge said.
"Wouldn't miss a beat for the world!" Rudy replied, giving a thumbs-up to the judge.
"Very well then, we'll move onto the cross-examination," the judge announced.
"Yes, Your Honor." That was a bit short...and a bit vague.
CROSS-EXAMINATION
The Photograph
"I remember taking that photograph a few months ago!"
HOLD IT!
"So you actually took a picture of the Fearanst family?" Phoenix asked.
"Now now, I was just getting to that!" Rudy replied. "You gotta remember I didn't always work for the newspaper business!"
I don't even know if you should have worked for the newspaper business, Phoenix thought, sweating a little over the matter.
"I used to take photographs for hire," Rudy explained. "Needed a photo done? I was your guy! And I got hired to take their photo."
It seems like a big coincidence that he took a photo of the family, Phoenix thought to himself. I wonder...
"Who recommended you to the Fearanst family?" Phoenix pressed.
"Ellie, of course!" Rudy replied.
"Wh...WHAT?!"
"She found me out and about while I was taking photos one day," Rudy explained. "We got to talking, swapped some numbers, and a few days later she called me up for my photography skills."
There's a lot of history I don't even know about, Phoenix thought.
"Who knew Rudy and Ellie were so well acquainted with each other?" Maya mused.
"I think Pierre was counting on that..."
"Well then, let's move onto that day in particular," the judge said. "The witness may continue with his testimony."
"It was pretty chilly that day, so I wore a coat just to keep me warm."
HOLD IT!
"You...wear coats?"
"..."
"..."
"..."
"..."
The courtroom went rather oddly quiet with Phoenix's peculiar question. It seemed everyone was thrown off by it.
"Well, when it's cold, yeah," Rudy finally responded.
"Perhaps if ze defense lacks ze common sense to avoid such questions, we should excuse zem until ze defense has zeir head on straight," Pierre sneered, a distinctly unamused frown on his face.
"I agree with prosecution on this one," the judge said, a scowl on his face. "The defense will refrain from asking trivial questions."
Guess this isn't the time for such things, Phoenix thought, another bullet of sweat coming down.
"Get it together, Nick!" Maya scolded. "We're trying to help Ellie!"
"The witness may continue with his testimony," the judge announced.
"I remember having a brief conversation with the mother as well."
HOLD IT!
"What did you discuss?" Phoenix asked.
Rudy scratched the back of his head and replied, "I don't really remember the specifics, but I think it had something to do with her husband."
"You mean the late Sir Cameron?" Phoenix pressed.
"Yeah...yeah, I think I remember a little bit about it," Rudy said.
"Well, what did the two of you talk about?" the judge asked.
"She was lamenting over how her husband wouldn't be able to make the photo shoot."
HOLD IT!
"Do you remember why her husband couldn't make the shoot?" Phoenix asked, his hands down on the desk.
"I think it had something to do with his work," Rudy replied. "Maybe he got caught up with crunching some numbers or something..."
"Can you be a little more specific?" Phoenix pressed.
"Lemme think..." Rudy then struck a thinking pose that he held for a while.
"..."
"..."
"..."
"..."
"Well?" the judge inquired.
"OH! Right, I need to think about that convo!" Rudy suddenly flashed. At that point, everyone had practically fallen over in some form or another.
"Y-yes! You need to remember what that conversation was about!" Phoenix said. Seriously?!
"Okay! I got it!" Rudy exclaimed. "I remember what the conversation was about now!"
"Please change your testimony to reflect that then," the judge said.
"She was depressed cause her husband was caught up with his work and couldn't make it to the shoot."
HOLD IT!
"Are you sure about this?" Phoenix pre-
EINSPRUCH!
Pierre slammed his hand onto the desk before saying, "Herra Wright, if zere is something za matter with ze witness' testimony, zen cease verte az egész bokor and get to ze point!"
Cease what?!
"If the prosecution is objecting to...what I think he's objecting to," the judge intervened, "then I agree that you should move along with your cross-examination."
Whose side is he on anyway?
"You think there's something in his testimony?" Maya asked curiously.
"I don't really know what it is exactly, but I think we just opened a door wide open," Phoenix replied.
"Did we really? You're awfully perceptive!" Maya complimented with that cheery smile of hers.
"Now it's just a matter of proving it!" And I think I know the right spot to hit...
"She was depressed cause her husband was caught up with his work and couldn't make it to the shoot."
OBJECTION!
"You say that the conversation was about her husband working?" Phoenix asked.
"I think so," Rudy answered.
"Then I would think again if I were you!" Phoenix retorted, brandishing the Casino Letter in hand. "I think that your memory might be a bit faulty!"
Rudy jumped back, his beret falling off of his head as the crowd began to murmur excitedly again. The judge brought down his gavel and called out, "Order! Order!"
Looking down at Wright, the judge asked, "What exactly are you trying to say, Mr. Wright?"
"Your Honor, it has come to my attention that there's a certain event in Sir Cameron's life that is currently affecting the case at hand," Phoenix explained. "And this piece of evidence proves that!"
"A letter from a casino?" the judge asked.
"This isn't just any casino, Your Honor," Phoenix continued. "This is from the well-established Flamenco Casino chain, writing to Sir Cameron about a very important issue."
"Let me see..." the judge said as he began to read the Casino Letter. He perused its contents until...
"Wait a moment...this letter talks about a debt Sir Cameron owed the casino!" the judge announced.
"That's only half true, Your Honor," Phoenix said. "You see it was on that night of January 26th when the casino decided to take action against Sir Cameron and take back his debt in a very physical manner - they were responsible for giving him that scar on his face!"
A huge swell of excitement burst through the crowd as they responded to this accusation.
"What cruel folks!"
"That's terrible!"
"Do casinos really do that?"
"I've heard of terrible things happening in casinos, but I would never have thought of this!"
The judge then banged his gavel several times. "Order! Order! Order! Order! I said Order!" he cried out, working to get the crowd under control.
EINSPRUCH!
With a single word and a slam on the desk, the crowd quieted down almost instantly as all eyes were drawn toward Pierre.
"If ze defense wishes to expose ze truth of Sir Cameron's lack of attendance for a family outing, zen by all means," he said, a combination of snark and sneering in his tone. "Ze have merely served to prove my point."
"Y-your point?" Phoenix asked.
"Tak tak, Herra Wright," Pierre grinned. "You say zat Sir Cameron was in trouble with ze casino and did not attend his family outing as a result, ja? Zen zat should prove all zat I need."
"I don't seem to follow, Pierre," the judge asked curiously.
Pierre merely chuckled. Then he snapped his fingers in a manner so akin to a legendary prosecutor that for a moment Phoenix thought that that man had walked into the room to bring about an objection to the table.
"Sir Cameron got in trouble with a casino," Pierre explained. "Zis causes ze rift in ze family. Sir Cameron continues his reckless gambling, and someone demands it stop. Who demands it, you ask?"
Pierre then brought this hand down on the desk and cried out, "ZE DEFENDANT HERSELF!"
Caught in the moment of intensity, the crowd began to swell with excitement again!
OBJECTION!
It's now or never! "I object!"
Pierre chuckled. "You have no reason to object, Herra Wright," he said. "Zere is nothing to object to unless you wish to delay zese zings further."
"I'm not objecting to the conclusion given...I'm objecting for another reason!"
"Qu'est ce que c'est?"
"What reason could you have to object for, Mr. Wright?" the judge asked, now curious over his reason.
"It is my belief that there's another person in this case we have yet to meet," Phoenix said. "Someone we haven't seen or heard from throughout the entire case."
"Oh? And who might that be?" the judge asked.
"Isn't it obvious?" Phoenix asked. Then he slammed his hands down on the desk and called out, "I mean the murderer themselves!"
"Qu'est ce que c'est?!"
"What's this?!"
The crowd got very excited and began murmuring even moreso. The judge banged his gavel a few times to signify order.
"Mr. Wright! What is the meaning of this?" the judge asked.
"Indeed, Herra Wright, what do you mean?" Pierre demanded as well.
"It's really quite simple," Phoenix said. Now's the time to drive it home!
"We've met all sorts of people from the night of the murder. We met Ron, who witnessed the murder happen from a distance. We met Reynolds and Diablo, who stood by right next to the carousel when the murder occurred. But there was one more person that fateful night with whom we haven't even met yet."
"Get on with it, Herra Wright!" Pierre demanded. "Who are you referring to that was also zere? Ethelinda was at ze Hall of Freaks, Dahnjent was in his office, and unless you're referring to Rudy, zere's no one else left!"
"There is one person left after all the names have been taking out," Phoenix said, slamming his hands on the desk. "The one person who could have been capable of killing Sir Cameron Fearanst is none other than..."
"THE CAROUSEL OPERATOR!"
"QU'EST CE QUE C'EST?!"
"WHAT IS THIS?!"
At that point, the crowd was on the bursting point, the judge's gavel ringing out continuously until-
EINSPRUCH!
"How do you know of ze carousel operator?!" Pierre demanded.
"That's not really important, is it?" Phoenix retorted. "Unless you've got something more to hide."
Time to bring you to justice! Phoenix then pointed and cried out, "It was you, Pierre Imaterr! You're the murderer!"
At that point the crowd lost control and went completely nuts. Not even the judge's gavel could bring them to order, and with that the court trial was suspended.
Even I couldn't think after that moment. But the truth was clear enough to me. Pierre Imaterr was the legal counsel of the Pidisque Carnival, the last person we'd met with a connection to the case. And tomorrow, we'd have to figure out a way to bring him to justice.
COURT RECORD
Profiles
Sir Cameron Fearanst - the victim, found dead on the back of a white stallion. A professional gambler, he frequently plays on the roulette wheel.
Ellie Ipssiss Fearanst - the defendant, 15-year old daughter of the victim. She plays off being innocent well.
Olivia Vale Fearanst - the victim's wife. She was the one who sought my help for the case against her daughter.
Adrian Reynolds Cycle - owner of a bike shop not far from the scene of the crime, is distracted by the carnival but sees it as good business
Ron D. Globus - employee at the Pidisque Carnival, known as the "Buoyant Boy" for his ability to stay above water...and for his surprisingly youthful appearance!
Ethelinda Nejem - employee at the Pidisque Carnival, known as the "Snake Lady" due to her appearance. She's really good at reading people.
Dahnjent Pidisque - owner and ringmaster of the famous Pidisque Carnival, and an eccentric insane fellow. A good friend of Sir Cameron's.
Pierre Imaterr - the prosecutor of this case, and the legal advisor for the Pidisque Carnival. He's a very strange man overall.
Diablo - eater of flames and swords and flaming swords. He seems to know a thing or two about the carnival's history.
Rudy Uscentre - an enthusiastic photographer working for the Radi N' Us local newspaper. He may have captured an important photograph!
Evidence
Attorney Badge - I keep this with me as proof that I'm an attorney. It only does so much for me.
Magatama - A mystical tool that allows me to look into people's hearts and break the locks that keep them from telling the whole truth.
Autopsy Report - Victim was stabbed in the back. Time of Death: 8:14 PM. Death was near instantaneous due to spinal shock.
Carnival Map - A map of the carnival made by Reynolds. It's an accurate rendering of the layout.
Loose Tile - A tile hanging by a hinge from the carousel's big top over the crime scene. Curious little thing.
Initials - "ARC", left on a unicorn on the carousel by Reynolds. The guy's got some devotion to this carnival...
Bag of Peanuts - A now-empty bag of peanuts that Ron dropped in the Hall of Mirrors. They were unopened when Maya found them.
Casino Letter - A letter from a casino that forced Sir Cameron to pay for a debt he owed. They might still influence the case.
Outage Report - A power outage occurred at 8:13 PM on May 5 due to a cut wire. A backup generator was activated at 8:15 PM while maintenance replaced the wire.
Murder Weapon - The hideous knife used to kill Sir Cameron Fearanst and sever an electrical wire. Apparently it was stolen from Diablo's collection of knives.
Ron's Drawing - A depiction of what Ron saw. It shows Sir Cameron and Ellie riding the carousel, and then there's a glint above their heads.
Photograph - a picture taken by Rudy while undercover; there seems to be an opening in the carousel
? - evidence that could prove how the murderer knew to kill Sir Cameron
? - an item of interest that could prove useful in this case
? - evidence that could prove how Pierre's tied to the incident
? - evidence that could prove how the lights were turned off
Ransom Note - a note written in braille telling Diablo to head to the carousel.
Family Portrait - a portrait of Elly and Olivia taken on January 27, the same day Sir Cameron got his scars
Phoenix...what are you doing...Phoenix stahp
WELL THEN I GUESS WE'RE GOING TO PUT PIERRE ON THE STAND!...if we can find a prosecutor to take his place...
Pierre's Phrases
Ausreichend und ohne sorgen - German, "sufficiently and without worry"
verte az egész bokor - Hungarian, "beat around the bush"